Abby, Schmabby
Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 10:55:51 AM PDT
Interesting dilemma. I have never heard of someone complain they were making too much money! It is bizarre. -Elisa
I almost choked on my coffee while reading Abby's simpler than simplistic advice to a reader this morning. A woman wrote in complaining that she loves her job but is thinking of quitting or asking for a pay cut. As she explains it
My job is mostly simple work that could be done by anybody -- yet I earn almost as much as my husband, who is a supervisor in a technical field.
Abby's advice?
Feeling as you do, you should donate every cent you feel you are overpaid to a charity (or to a therapist who can help you overcome your sense of guilt).
While Abby briefly mentions the idea of therapy (which I missed in my original reading because I was so dumbfounded) it is completely glossed over. Why does this woman think she isn't worth what she is paid? Also, is the real issue that she's afraid of making as much or more than her husband?
It's hard to argue with the idea of donating earnings that exceed the family's needs to charity. However, I believe that this is a decision that should be based on consuming less and giving more and not this woman's guilt about making too much money.
I'm no fan, but I wondered with interest what Linda Hirshman would say. What do you say? Am I just being materialistic here, or does this woman appear to have a problem recognizing her own self-worth?
